An episode of Modern Family played out in our house this week and Greg/Phil has no idea why I/Claire became annoyed.

We are in the process of applying for a permit to put in a pool and have been working closely with the eager pool guy to push the paperwork forward so we can have some of the work done before winter.

We thought this would be a quick submission turnaround process but on week three, we’re no closer than we were day one at getting things approved.

Some of the questions asked have been relevant to our plans, though, eager pool guy and others have suggested they have never in the history of eagerly digging holes for pools had to be so detailed and specific on this application. I think the last rejection was because we didn’t have the exact temperature of the earth’s core the day the foundation of our house was poured. I was 1.5 degrees too high but apparently we need precision when it comes to the exact position of my future lounge chairs.

None of this application nonsense has anything to do with what irked me this week but it is pool related.

When we began talking about putting in a pool, I mentioned to Greg we should watch for some deals this fall (RIGHT NOW!) on poolside furniture. Knowing/predicting/hoping we would have a pool partially dug before Christmas and completed by spring we would be swimming by next summer and would want somewhere to sit.

I realized it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have because it meant spending money above and beyond that which was specifically assigned to water, a deep end and steps but I knew it would make more sense to take advantage of one of the many 50% off, yearend clearance sales that have accidently popped up on my computer screen as of late.

Greg suggested we should hold off until spring as this was a big project to undertake and would be costly. I agreed, let’s wait.

But again the sales popped up and again it seemed ludicrous not to at least price things out, place a call or two and put the idea back on the woven, aluminum table that if we’re going to buy something anyway, wouldn’t it make more sense to buy it at a discount and store it for the winter.

I was met with another polite “I think we should wait,” so I dropped the issue entirely knowing I would be forever annoyed with the over-priced lounger, complaining that it would be a lot more comfortable with a price tag written in red marker with a big “our price” or “final clearance” sharpie scratched across it.

Then I received an email from Greg while at work late last week.

“Hi Sweetie, I was just talking to eager pool guy and he knows a company with a sale on pool furniture going on right now. He’s picking up a set for himself. I think we should get one too. What do you think?”